I have passed all the stages to become a driver but a bit concerned re the medical test. It's not that I have anything to hide, far from it, but I suffer from shy bladder and can't "pee on demand". It could take hrs!!

Do the train companies allow for this and offer an alternative test? Blood, saliva etc which would suit me better?

I have passed all the stages to become a driver but a bit concerned re the medical test. It's not that I have anything to hide, far from it, but I suffer from shy bladder and can't "pee on demand". It could take hrs!!

Do the train companies allow for this and offer an alternative test? Blood, saliva etc which would suit me better?

Cheers in advance

Click to expand...

Don't know what they do if you can't give a urine sample - others on here may know. Depending on where you are travelling from, you may want to do as I did; take a bottle of water and sip on the way there. By the time you get there and they ask if you want to do the urine test first or leave a while, you may be begging to get it done! Nerves will help as well. They don't need much. But the conditions of the test a quite strict, so only a sample provided there and then will be accepted. Good luck.

I have passed all the stages to become a driver but a bit concerned re the medical test. It's not that I have anything to hide, far from it, but I suffer from shy bladder and can't "pee on demand". It could take hrs!!

Do the train companies allow for this and offer an alternative test? Blood, saliva etc which would suit me better?

Cheers in advance

Click to expand...

I can relate to that and I really don't think it's taken seriously enough by companies for medical purposes. Whether it's naivety I don't know, but it really should be taken seriously. I've had a few medicals with my current employer and have been okay, with plenty of water intake prior to the test!

What was annoying and slightly worrying was that the nurse's stance when I explained, was to "just drink lots of water and you'll have to go eventually". Not only does it not work like that, but drinking too much water in that short a time can be dangerous in itself.

The whole process isn't helped by the fact that the person conducting the medical has to stand right outside the cubicle.

My advice is just to explain prior to the test that it might take a while.

I don't know whether drivers also use Bupa, but for all three Bupa centres I've been to with for NR (Norwich, Southampton and Bristol) they've all been proper rooms rather than a cubicle as part of a larger bathroom. It was just asked not to wash hands or flush the toilet before handing the pot over.

It happened to me when I had my medical, made worse by the nurse keep asking if everyything was alright, and offered to run the taps as that would help me go (never quite understood that!).

After drinking a few cups of water, I went to a near by bar and downed two pints of Coke, and went back 30 mins later to give my urine sample. She wasn't fussed, said it happens all the time.

I seem to remember when I had my first medical 5 years ago, the nurse said hair samples work the same urine samples, but that they didn't do that there - persume they didn't have the means to test hair but they did urine.

Not only does it not work like that, but drinking too much water in that short a time can be dangerous in itself.

Click to expand...

If you drink it really quickly then you might throw up, but that's the only bad thing that will happen. You're not going to manage to drink enough water to mess around with your electrolytes without needing to go to the loo (and thus being able to give the sample) before getting to that point!

Yes drinking plenty of fluids may help. If you have any concerns then by all means speak to the nurse taking the medical, i'm sure they will be understanding. After all i doubt you aren't the only person in the same situation.

If you drink it really quickly then you might throw up, but that's the only bad thing that will happen. You're not going to manage to drink enough water to mess around with your electrolytes without needing to go to the loo (and thus being able to give the sample) before getting to that point!

Click to expand...

To say "Just drink lots of water and you'll have no choice but to go eventually" is naive. People with this condition can't go easily. Full stop. If you drink lots and lots of water you'll either go eventually because you're concentrating in the same way as you would by drinking an average amount of water. Or you'll just be in a lot of pain and not able to go still.

I was once called for a unannounced D&A , unfortunately my boss fotgot to tell me until I came back from the loo 5 mins before I was due to attend the D&A, had to run across Manchester and then drink loads to get enough for their sample!!

I was once called for a unannounced D&A , unfortunately my boss fotgot to tell me until I came back from the loo 5 mins before I was due to attend the D&A, had to run across Manchester and then drink loads to get enough for their sample!!

General advice, It takes 30mins of roughly a pint to fill the bladder, then a lil while after that you will want to wee. This was the advice each time my wife went for scans duing our pregnancy.
At least its not like they have to watch you pee directly into a cup to ensure no false samples.

As for OP, just let them know and im sure they will be patient as it would not be fair to discriminate for any type of condition.

I have passed all the stages to become a driver but a bit concerned re the medical test. It's not that I have anything to hide, far from it, but I suffer from shy bladder and can't "pee on demand". It could take hrs!!

Do the train companies allow for this and offer an alternative test? Blood, saliva etc which would suit me better?

Cheers in advance

Click to expand...

As a tongue in cheek side note (not intending to be-little your condition ) having a shy bladder might be useful as a train driver. It is a concern of mine that if I'm ever lucky enough to get into the drivers seat the length of time without access to a loo could prove embarrassing . to the point that when I was asked on a DM interview if there were any concerns or worries about the role this was my genuine answer! (Interview passed BTW)